GAFFER WANTS PERFECTION

We want to show everyone that we can be a success in the league as well as the cup"

Roberto Martinez says his players will go into Tuesday night’s must-win clash at The Emirates Stadium full of confidence after Saturday’s FA Cup Final win against Manchester City.

The Spaniard added that although the team’s preparation time for the crunch game hasn’t been ideal, it’s not something they’re looking to use as an excuse and are confident of getting the win they need.

He said: “We need to take into this game that feeling of immense pride from Saturday’s achievement at Wembley Stadium.

“Winning the cup will take the club onto a completely different level in terms of how we are perceived from the outside and will give us good focus for the final two games in the league.

“Tuesday’s game against Arsenal is a final within the league campaign, but it’s one we’re all looking forward to and excited about, wanting to show everyone that we can be a success in the league as well.

“We’ve been very happy with the news following the final that there have been no new injury worries; no one picked up any knocks that would make them doubtful, so apart from those who were already out of the squad we have a full team to select from again.

“We’ve not had a great deal of preparation time for the game, but there’s nothing we can do to affect that; all we can do is use the time we’ve had and make sure we’re as ready as we can be for the test.”

Latics of course defeated Arsenal away last year with a fantastic 2-1 victory in their own back yard, and Martinez says Saturday’s win serves as a reminder of what this team is capable of on its day, saying:

“We achieved what we did at The Emirates last season in pretty much the same way we did what we did against Manchester City at the weekend, so it’s good to have some close reference before Tuesday’s game.

“We have to show immense levels of concentration and discipline in defence, as well as strength and confidence in attack.

“That will lead to a complete performance, which would seem impossible if we hadn’t done what we did last weekend, so we’re capable of repeating it again.”